Getting the best look is all about picking the right paint.
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If you're a car person, you appreciate making a personal statement on some level or another. That does not mean you need to rock a goatee and wear cutoffs that show off your killer tats. While the make and model is enough to let people know what you're all about, that paint job does all the heavy lifting. If you're not in on the whole ratty car theme and aren't willing to pay someone else to do it, you're going to need to buy paint at some point or another. You need to do as much research as possible to make sure you do the work right. I can still provide you with some insight on what paint to consider and give you some tips along the way.
Speedokote High Gloss Jet Black 2K Acrylic Urethane
This is a forgiving, fast-drying, easy-to-apply high-gloss jet-black paint. It comes with three-quarters of a gallon of paint and a quart of medium activator.
Dupli-Color Paint Shop Finish System
An affordable one-quart can comes in a wide variety of ready-to-apply colors that go on easily and provide a high-quality finish.
Restoration Shop Jet Black Acrylic Ename
The single-stage system many DIYers are drawn to. The kit includes the paint, activator, and mixing sticks. The paint is easy to lay and produces a finish that’s surprising for the price.
You already know how we stick to our trusted routine of doing all of the homework for you to ensure anything on this list is worth the money. Painting is an art. You can go about it like it's just a coating to add protection and color and use the first thing in front of you. However, if you are after a specific texture or shade, you really want to dive deeper. Talk to pros, go to shows, ask questions, and do the research to make sure you do find the paint that'll provide the look your heart desires.
The Speedokote takes our top pick for several reasons. For one, it's a single-stage paint system that's relatively easy to work with. Despite the affordable price, this kit comes complete with a three-quarter-gallon can of jet-black, high-gloss paint and one quart of medium activator, that when mixed together, yields one full gallon of product. There's more than enough here to paint the average car, and because there are only 5-10 minutes of flash between coats, a fast dry time and the respectable durability makes it worthwhile.
As with many DIY-friendly kits, the paint is a little too thin for some folks. Also, you may need to lay down more coats than usual to get the most out of it, which is a deal breaker for some.
This one-quart can of paint lacquer comes ready for use in a sprayer. You can buy it in a single can or a two-pack for good measure. There are 20 colors to choose from to ensure you can at least get close to the shade of your liking. Once applied, you can wet sand the paint easily. Because this is spray paint, it doesn’t require any mixing or reducing before you use it. There’s also no recoat window, which means you can reapply at any time. The paint is easy to work with, goes on smooth, and you can save whatever you have leftover for future use.
Unfortunately, you can use this paint up quickly, and it can get expensive if you attempt to repaint an entire vehicle. While the colors are coded, they’re limited in shades, so there may not be one that perfectly matches your car’s exterior paint.
Restoration Shop's paint line certainly grabs the attention of many DIYers. This particular offering sits at a competitive price point, and it's a single-stage paint that's easy to work with. On top of that, this package includes the strainers and mixing sticks you need to get rolling. As for application, it goes on nice and easy, and the jet-black finish is certainly impressive for the price range.
It's not exactly a pro-grade product, which is to be expected. Still, a few people feel it's way too thin and would prefer to mix in the reducer themselves. Quality-control issues seem to be common. In some cases, the colors are wrong, making it crucial to test the product before applying it to your entire vehicle.
If you're looking for that iconic custom paint job that's sure to take home some trophies at the local shows, House of Kolor is the name to look for. We picked Brandywine because it's a very popular color from the line, but it's far from all the brand has to offer. This is just one part of a two-stage system, and the right clear coat will help it to last the life of the car. House of Kolor does offer it in different quantities for those who need to touch up or color-match panels over time.
Being a professional-grade product, it does sit on the expensive side of the scale, and the price of a single quart is about the same as you'd pay for a gallon of DIY paint. Also, you’ll need an experienced painter to lay this paint correctly.
VHT's caliper paint might not be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about auto paint, but it is an essential part of any project. Coming from experience, VHT's part-specific paint is a fantastic way to spruce up any project. It's affordable, easy to apply, and will last an exceptionally long time when applied correctly. This red caliper paint is also a great way to get the performance look many are after, at least until they save up for the big brakes they're after.
Also coming from experience, you need to be aware that some relatively common issues can ruin your experience. For one, old stock often goes out, and the paint won't adhere the way it should. Also, the spray nozzles tend to get clogged and make a total mess of things.
If you don't want to dye interior parts of your car, you do have the option to use Dupli-Color vinyl and fabric spray. With the right amount of prep and when used properly, you can get surprisingly good, long-lasting results with this product. It is also very affordable, and the process is familiar to many, which obviously helps boost the popularity.
Don’t expect this to work as well as dye. While it is a flexible coating, it's likely to chip away over the years. Also, there is the issue of old cans floating around out there, which does mean there's a chance of getting poor results no matter how much effort you put into it.
While most paints focus on the bigger bits, SEM excels in bringing the trim to life. SEM's Trim Black paint is designed to match the satin-black finish most manufacturers put on vehicles. It's arguable that the finish of this product is much better than what many cars come with, and it can even be used to paint trim that wasn’t black, to begin with. Like many others on our list, this product is affordable and easy to apply. You also have the option to buy it in one-quart cans for spray guns or in an aerosol can to keep things simple.
There really isn't much to dislike about this product. Some say you should play with the spray-gun variant to get the mix just right, but that's easy to live with. The same is true for complaints regarding issues trying to use this over silicone products that were previously used to retouch faded trim.
The Rust Bullet Automotive Rust Inhibitor Paint is something you'll want for the bottom half of that prized ride. This is the only rust coating to hold a patent. In fact, it has two patents: one kills rust, and the other prevents its reoccurrence. We like this product because it's easy to apply with either a paint sprayer, roll, or brush. The patented formula soaks into your rustiest and most damaged areas to actually strengthen the metal. Subsequent coats continue to build on and provide heavy-duty protection. You can apply this paint directly without the need for a primer or a top coat, and the silver finish is something many like about this product.
If you skipped to the product page before reading, you might have had a heart attack. The price is high for a rust inhibitor. On that note, the best results are achieved by painting over it. That drives up the overall investment of time and money.
Why make touch-ups difficult? This kit from ERA Paints comes with two aerosol spray cans: one for the base coat color and the other for the clear coat. One color paint can will cover a 4-by-4-foot area with two coats. This paint also comes in OEM specific paint codes, meaning you don’t need to make due with what’s out there if it’s available for your vehicle. It even comes with a paint test match card and easy to follow documentation and instructions.
Unfortunately, it’s not the most affordable touch-up system on the market, and it only covers a small portion of the vehicle. Also, color options are fairly limited, meaning few vehicle owners can take advantage of it.
Best Single Stage for Show
This system is easy to use, and the Fire Red Pearl Coat serves as an excellent example of how color choices can be breathtaking. It also comes with the mixing sticks and strainers you will need to get rolling.
It's nice paint, so you shouldn't be surprised to see that the price isn't exactly budget friendly. It's important to note that the reducer is already mixed in and may be too thin for some people's liking.
Again, Speedokote High Gloss Jet Black Acrylic Urethane takes our top pick based on the quality, price, and ease of use. However, the Dupli-Color Paint Shop Finish System is another solid choice when the budget is tight. So many factors determine what works best for you. Be sure to reach out and let us know which paint you like most.
The last thing you want to do is grab the first paint recommended to you without knowing at least a little bit about what you're dealing with. Below you will find info on the different types, the brands you should know about, and some tips to keep in mind. Again, you should do as much research as possible as there are a lot of factors that will determine what exactly you need for your situation.
Plasti Dip is an affordable rubberized coating that works as an alternative to traditional automotive paints. With enough coats and depending on where on the vehicle it is applied, Plasti Dip can weather prolonged use relatively well. However, excessive wear and tear can cause the Plasti Dip to deteriorate prematurely, requiring removal and reapplication. It’s important to note that using Plasti Dip is a craft in itself and getting it right does take experience.
Spray paint is often viewed as a way around paying for professional equipment and good paint. Some spray paint jobs can be very impressive, and spray paint is a great way to touch up imperfections or panels if the budget is tight. However, painting the entire car will consume a surprising amount of it, and ultimately the cost won't be far off from a DIY job with a paint gun. The results also won't be quite as good in most cases.
Water-based paints only include a small amount of solvent used in the process of adhering to the vehicle. They’re not as toxic to work with and actually dry faster than solvent-based paints. You might think you’d need to apply more coats, but that’s not the case. The water acts as a carrier and dissipates once the paint is applied, so you won’t get as many toxic chemicals off-gassing, even after the paint is cured.
When people typically think of automotive paint, solvent-based paints are what usually come to mind. Solvent-based paints typically have higher amounts of toxic chemicals that mandate the use of respirators and proper ventilation. These types of paint can have lacquer, enamel, or urethane as a basis, each with their own pros and cons. These solvents act as a carrying agent and bring the paint molecules to the vehicle’s surface.
As you’ve probably deduced from the name, single-stage paints lay down in a single stage with no additional top coats needed. These are easier to apply on a vehicle because they simplify the process, but there are some trade-offs. The paint isn’t all that durable. Buffing and polishing will quickly pull away layers, it’s susceptible to premature breakdown, and it’s often harder to get that glass-like finish with it. Single-stage paint jobs are typical when the owner is trying to replicate what a car originally came from the factory with.
Two-stage paints use a color coat for the base, which is followed up with a clear coat. This is almost always the superior choice unless you're after a period-correct finish. The clear coat offers excellent protection from the elements and other harsh conditions and provides depth to the paint job. It will take more time and money but might last longer and look better.
Sometimes you don’t want to paint your whole vehicle; you want to simply highlight a certain feature or improve the overall look of that area. You can use part-specific paints for things like brake calipers, wheels, engine blocks, and any other area that will take paint. What makes them part specific is that they are designed to resist specific threats to certain areas such as heat.
The color and finish go hand in hand to produce the look you're chasing. If you want something simple but with some shine, gloss is the way to go. You can also knock the shine down by opting for satin or matte paints. Pearlescent coats are always an option for those who really want those body lines to work their magic. It's hard to describe the exact textures you can achieve with finishes, so you will want to look around for visual representations to find what you're after.
Before you get your heart set on any shade, consider what type of paint will be best for your situation. Consult our paint type section above for reference. Will you be transporting the vehicle outside and in the elements for most of its life? You should probably choose a two-stage paint. If you want to stick to the original finish, single-stage will likely give you the results you’re looking for.
You're going to spend more on paint than you initially think. While most aerosol cans cost $10 to $20 apiece, you can count on buying a ton of it if you intend to paint an entire car. A $50-$100 DIY-grade gallon of paint will cost way less in the long run. Specialized coatings for chassis and trim generally fall within the same price range. If you're looking for an OE paint job, prices start to increase, and you'll spend $150-$300 on a gallon of paint. Of course, the high-end stuff can cost even more than that. On that note, don't forget to factor in the cost of primer and clear coat to do the job right.
As with something you do for decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way. That’s the case with us and automotive paint. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: That depends on the size of your car. If you're working with a mid-size car, you can expect to use around a gallon of paint to get it done. As the vehicle increases in size, more paint will be necessary. It's also always a good idea to buy more than you need to accommodate mistakes.
A: With the right tools, you can easily use touch-up paints and paint correction techniques to refresh your paint job. However, you will be better off repainting the car at some point. This is especially true when the entire surface is covered with imperfections.
A: Touch-up paint can typically be bought from a dealership or online. Beyond these small amounts, however, your specific paint might not necessarily be available in larger quantities. A call to your local dealership is the best way to answer this question.
A: Merely painting over the existing finish might inhibit the paint’s ability to adhere to the vehicle’s body and could cause flaking and disrepair. It’s always best to sand down the vehicle’s exterior to bare metal so that the primer and subsequent coats have the chance to create a solid bond. These paint jobs typically last longer than those painted over existing top coats.
A: Lacquer paint is reserved mostly for vehicles meant solely for show. Extremely demanding when it comes to care, lacquer paints are less and less popular these days, due in part to their high toxicity. Urethane paints are more common in the automotive world, as they tend to be more durable. They are more difficult to spray than acrylic paints. Acrylic is just another type of resin used to deliver the paint to your vehicle’s surface.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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